Named in 1829 by Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt from the Greek μουάζω "to be solitary" in allusion to the rarity of its presence in the first known localities. The suffix "Ce" conforms to the Levinson Rule for rare earth minerals, for the cerium dominant member of the monazite series.

The overwhelmingly most common member of the monazite group. Monazite-(Ce) is a widely distributed mineral, as an accessory in granitic igneous rocks and gneissic metamorphic rocks, and in detrital sands derived from them.

Crystals usually small but may be large and coarse at times. Frequently flattened {100} or elongate [010]; prismatic by extension of {111} at times; equant, or wedge-shaped by the large development of {100} and {111}. Crystal faces commonly rough, striated or uneven.

Twinning:

On {100}, common; cruciform at times. Also on {001}, lamellar, rare. Doubtfully reported on {201} and {_902}.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality.
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- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates.ⓘ - Click for further information on this occurrence.? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant.(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (eg from pseudomorphs.)

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.

Schandl, E. S. (2004). The role of saline fluids base-metal and gold mineralization at the Cobalt Hill prospect northeast of the sudbury igneous complex, Ontario: A fluid-inclusion and mineralogical study. The Canadian Mineralogist, 42(5), 1541-1562.

Maksimović, Z. and Pantó, G. (1978): Minerals of the rare-earth elements in karstic bauxites: synchisite-(Nd), a new mineral from the Grebnik deposit. Proc. 4th International Congress for the study of bauxites, alumina, and aluminum, Athens, 540-553. [includes description of bastnäsite-(La) from Marmara deposit]